How will the global pandemic of 2020 transform the semiconductors industry?

I think we'll see a slight tick up in smart manufacturing.  Instead of dedicated purpose machines, we'll see an increase in flexible manufacturing so more companies will be able to change what they manufacture without having to buy new hardware.  There are companies that have great regret right now on not being able to shift their production to respond to the pandemic.  We'll see an increase in vision systems and other quality checks as companies look to decrease their human exposure.  I also think we'll see more bio-automation as companies, municipalities and governments look to screen the general population.  So, lots more sensors and "AI-Lite".  And then we'll backslide BUT, for a time, the electronic Swiss Army knife will be back in style.

I started typing this last night but didn't complete, and I think it's similar to other comments.

I expect and hope! we'll see a change in momentum for technology for consumers, including more powerful and more affordable mobiles and wearables, and a change for industry too.

We've have video calling for two decades, but it's surprising that some of us (me included) only used it for social reasons for the first time in the past few months (having used it regularly at work though), and people of all ages are doing it now, as are schools. People will start looking at home video units from the Amazon desktop devices upwards maybe. I think people will start demanding more reliable equipment with in-built sensors for diagnostics. It used to be a joke having an 'IoT-connected Fridge', but mine died a few weeks ago, and I can now see the importance of knowing precisely what was causing it (stalled motor for instance) and having an engineer advise me before it dies, remotely. For an extra $50 for an internet-connected fridge with diagnostics, I'd pay that.. even $100.

Wearables could become important quicker now, so people can monitor health and exercise, and technology can enable doctors with ways to diagnose us rather than have us all visiting their practices. These things have been 'in progress' for years, drug firms are interested too, but maybe now there will be more of a drive. Similarly for industry, IoT demands are growing, but now should (I hope) accelerate. many businesses should be evaluating IoT just the same way as cloud computing was evaluated 10-15 years ago. That was a revolution, and this is another one. From my limited perspective not having worked in the semiconductor industry, it seems like things could be really positive for them and for us going forward as we make the best of technology.

I agree with Doug and Dubbie, that the biggest change will be in the continuation of working from home. I've been lucky enough to work from companies where this has always been possible. Many companies say it's too difficult or expensive to set up. You can bet it's now #1 on their disaster recovery / business continuation strategy!

I wonder if any of the crazy "preppers" we used to hear about are now feeling very smug and vindicated? It's not quite been a zombie apocalypse or nuclear war, but it's felt close at times!

I think that electronics companies, a long with most other companies, will look more closely at being able to continue 'working' in the event of another pandemic style event (I heard predictions of an even worse pandemic in the near future - doesn't bear thinking about), so there is likely to be more internet selling and buying and internet communications.

There will be more resilience in supply chains, possibly with large stocks being held locally, . Healthcare systems will improve significantly in terms of dealing with pandemic style events, so more ICU beds (or more likely the ability to implement large numbers of ICU beds in a short time period), better air conditioning and air filtering systems in hospitals, more hand sanitising (I still haven't been able to buy any hand sanitiser since before the pandemic started -  I resorted to buying soap and even that was in short supply).

I will definitely be buying my salad seeds well in advance in future and I'll get the bread maker to work properly (as in make bread I actually want to eat).

Dubbie

There are lots of obvious things that will affect the electronics industry:

We will see an increase in telecommuting, telecomputing, teleconferencing, online services, online ordering, delivery services, automated plants, social media, etc all of them will likely remain higher than pre-Corona.

Reduced travel of all types is likely to persist for quite a while. Increased medical regulations, especially around elderly care homes and travel will be legislated.

Government spending will be off the charts for a while, spending on infrastructure projects and subsidies to get people back to work. Then we have to buckle down and pay for it all. It sounds like free time will diminish as we bust our tails trying to recover financially.

Hopefully the increased activity in telecommunications will offset a reduction in spending on luxury electronics. Maybe low oil prices and new ideas about distancing will increase usage and sales of automobiles.

If the economy really tanks, electronics may not be high on anyone's purchasing priorities, so I hope people don't lose confidence in our economic system to that extent. Otherwise, the electronics industry seems like it won't get hurt as badly as heavy losers like restaurants, air travel, oil and gas, etc.

I do wonder if the price of electronics will go up or down. I suspect an initial softening followed by rising prices as inflation takes hold.

I hope the whole debacle at least translates into more participation on element14, I know I am already participating more than I had planned.